SB 







Alfalfa 



Uhe JVtoney Crop of the 
West and Northwest 



Its adaptation to the Agricultural conditions 
of the territory reached by the North- 
western Line, and its influence upon 
Cattle, Hog and Dairy Interests 



Industrial Department 

Chicago & North Western Railway 

215 Jackson Boulevard 
Chicago, 111. 



Class 
Book 




l^oS 



l^'^ 



C)Op)Ti|ihtN^__ 



COFVRICHT DEPOSIT 




/ ^ 



Alfalfa 



By a Practical Producer of 

This Great Money Crop 

of the JVest and 

Northwest 



7 0^ 



Its adaptation to the Agricultural conditions 
of the territory reached by the North- 
Western Line, and its influence upon 
Cattle, Hog and Dairy Interests 



Industrial Department 

Chicago b' North Western Railway 

215 Jackson Boulevard 

Chicago, HI. 






COPYKIGHT, 1910 
BY 

Chicago & North Western Railway 

CHICAGO 



•CI.A278154 






OUR OBJECT 

With the advent of new settlers in the fertile, but less thickly settled 
portions of our western agricultural country, smaller farms are the order. 
This in turn demands changes that will in every way be beneficial to the 
farmer and to the country at large. The writer is prompted, therefore, to 
write this booklet having in view such changed conditions. 

Until recently, the farmer has had the use of free and unoccupied land, 
producing free pasture in abundance and hay at cost of harvest, but 
present increased values have much restricted him in the use of unoccupied 
land. 

No one questions the value of nutritious, wild, prairie grass for hay 
or pasture, and as a pasture product we will first consider it. On the 
prairies in the west it is available about May 1st as a permanent pasture; 
about August 1st it is preserved, and when reduced by pasture use it is not 
again available until the following May. In other words, its use is for a 
period of about three or four months in twelve. It then becomes necessary 
to introduce a pasture that will furnish a longer period of use, or seed an 
additional amount of fall and winter feed. It requires, ordinarily, more 
acres of wild grasses than tame, to support a farm animal. A comparison 
of the values of tame grasses is entirely favorable to the production of 
ALFALFA. 

We personally commenced the production of alfalfa several years ago 
in South Dakota, and have been modestly successful, at least to the extent 
that we know it can be profitably produced. We prophesy the next five 
years wUl find it firmly established as a permanent product of South Dakota 
and other western territory, and that whenever this is accomplished, land 
now commanding a price of S20.00, $25.00, $30.00 and $40.00 per acre 
will be in greater demand and at prices much advanced. 

With this view, we have endeavored to present in this pamphlet the 
practical view of a producer and the testimonials of other producers, together 
with compilations from eminent gendemen who have more technical 
knowledge than the writer. The combination we trust will be useful, 
especially to the settler on the western prairies. 

In mentioning different methods of cultivation, many of them in the 
same locality, criticism is not intended, but the different methods produce 
different results, and a description of them demonstrates that proper 
methods are the largest factor in the successful production of alfalfa. If 
a method is in effect that will not produce a profitable result where a dif- 
ferent method would produce an average crop, the wrong procedure is more 
harmful than shown by the loss of the crop, as it serves also to demonstrate 
that alfalfa cannot be successfully produced on the farm in question. 



We have in view many failures, partial failures and unsatisfactory 
results, and our own somewhat varied experiences. If by proper demon- 
stration it develops that a crop cannot be profitably produced on your farm, 
devote your land and energy to other lines, but do not condemn your 
efforts to succeed unless you are satisfied your procedure was right. We 
contend that some localities are not adapted to alfalfa production and we 
only recommend its production where at least an average crop can be 
secured. 

The Breeders Gazette, which is recognized as an authority, classes 
any land that will produce alfalfa as worth in value not less than one hun- 
dred dollars per acre. Undoubtedly an average crop and a reasonable 
location should qualify such statement as conservative. In the states of 
Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska, alfalfa production is not an 
experiment; it can be demonstrated and is demonstrated as a successful 
production in different localities, but the methods are so unsettled as to 
add a certain element of uncertainty to the results, lowering and making 
the average production much less than a proper standard would secure. 
The method we have adopted and recommend is, we think, especially 
adapted to South Dakota, particularly the western portion of the state, 
where favorable results will add many times to the present values of land. 

We advise care, work and patience, and the use of a small area of land, 
with repeated efforts before you are convinced of failure. 

In covering the proposition of procedure over an area represented by 
state lines, we are not unmindful of the different conditions that exist in 
different localities; yet our subject does not require exactly similar condi- 
tions to admit of similar procedure. 

We fix one fast rule: More efficient work to increase the average stand- 
ard of production and quality, keeping step with progress and business 
demands, preventing possible discouragement caused by misdirected 
effort, and removing the production of alfalfa from the experimental stage 
in the shortest possible time. 

SELECTION OF GROUND 

The importance of careful and proper selection of ground is apparent. 
If the crop is an experiment, we advise a small area. The experiment will 
thus be as complete, and we think, usually insures better work and care, 
and the better crop thus secured insures better future conditions, seed, 
etc. In a subdivision of essential conditions we class then in order: 

Cultivated land or new breaking, 

Condition of fertility, 

Preparation of fertilized land, 

Soil, sub-soil and top-soils, 

Drainage, 

High or low land. 

4 



Assuming that soil inoculation is not necessary, and irrigation is not 
available, on a farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres where it is 
the desire of the owner to produce from ten to forty acres of alfalfa, the 
owner should secure an average yield for the crop, of two and one-half to 
three and one-half tons per acre, on two or three cuttings. 

THE VALUE OF NEW OR OLD LAND 

The results of seeding alfalfa on the first breaking of new ground is not 
generally favorable. The absence of weeds the first year on sod usually 
makes a good showing, but the root does not usually penetrate below the 
plow line. On the contrary, it dive!-ges along under the sod and sub-plow 
line, and the root does not develop vitality or strength to support per- 
manently a healthy, strong plant. The usual result is half as much stand, 
or less, the second year, and a poor, weak, straggling plant at spare inter- 
vals the third year. On the other hand a well cultivated, deep plowed 
field, with equally favorable conditions, will produce a penetrating, strong, 
healthy root that in turn will support a healthy, permanent plant. After 
the first year sub-soil is the important factor and on sod seeding sub-soil 
is never reached. Select old cultivated land with proper regard for other 
necessary essentials and secure a good root and permanent growth. We do 
not mean land that is not fertile by reason of excessive poor farming, but 
well cultivated land that is above the average in fertility. 

FERTILITY AND PREPARATION 

Condition of fertility and preparation to produce suitable and proper 
fertility must be observed, and on account of prior use of such land is 
wholly necessary. Alfalfa requires a fertile soil. While it is admitted that 
soil that produces very litde vegetation, without irrigation, wUl produce a 
crop of alfalfa, the cause of no vegetation without irrigation is not that the 
soil is not fertile, but arises from other causes, usually climatic conditions. 
If the soil is not fertile it should be made so, and the application of farm 
manure fertilizer usually supplies other elements necessary to produce and 
support the plant. The method of preparation varies, but on account of 
the harmful effect of weeds following common farm-produced fertilizer we 
advocate its application the year prior to alfalfa seeding and the exter- 
mination of resultant weeds that have germinated, not allowing them to 
reseed. Common farm-produced fertilizer will produce weeds, but if treated 
a year in advance, fertility is secured and weeds eliminated to a certain 
extent. Application of fertilizer can be followed by millet, or the weeds 
mowed or plowed under before maturity of seed, and after alfalfa is seeded 
do not hesitate to sacrifice the first year's crop of alfalfa by cutting in time, 
so that weeds wUl not germinate and get the start of the plant. Results 



cannot be expected anyhow, the first season, and the third season the crop 
and stand should be better than the second year, as it requires about three 
seasons to secure the best crop. 

SOILS AND DRAINAGE 

We think top soil of a light variety, not sandy, with a light clay sub- 
soil, and not too close to water is preferable. This soil, if fertile, and 
not sandy, quickens the growth, and the plant is protected by the moisture 
retaining clay sub-soil later. Do not select land that is not thoroughly 
surface drained, and the drainage will settle a high or low land selection. 
Water standing one day on alfalfa in a depression will affect it seriously; 
and if it freezes you can depend on a field with spots where the depressions 
filled up and water froze, and later such depressions will be filled up with 
a growth of weeds. The drainage question is the first to consider; and 
as to high or low land, the extremes are to be avoided. A gumbo element 
in soil properly cultivated is not undesirable, but it should be thoroughly 
cultivated and well drained. Farm manure is of great value on gumbo 
soil; it serves to loosen the soil, and to admit air and water. It should 
be cultivated with the soil and thoroughly worked together until it is well 
mixed, fine and vmiform. We do not desire to fix a standard including 
particular soils to the exclusion of others; we simply state our preference 
after experience on both high and valley land and on slighdy different soils. 

Our views on drainage are such that we do not think it possible to 
secure a satisfactory crop from any soil without proper and adequate drain- 
age. In the territory described our reference is particularly to surface 
drainage and selection to secure natural surface drainage. 

CULTIVATION AND PROPER AMOUNT OF SEED 

We express ourselves forcibly in favor of thorough cultivation. We 
laid the foundation for this when we advised a small area or acreage. When 
we say good cultivation, we mean much better than the average. The 
object is to secure a good, even stand. This cannot be done without each 
step in procedure being right. It is not intended to re-seed like clover or 
coarse grains; and this emphasizes the necessity for a uniform, even stand, 
as the advantages are multiplied by the years of its growth and cannot be 
successfully remedied in the same field by re-seeding. Cultivation should 
be made to a garden condition. After deep plowing the cultivation follow- 
ing plowing does not require the depth to the extent of the plowing; such 
cultivation depth is not advisable. But it should extend below the depth of 
the seed. 

The amount of seed necessary depends to quite an extent on the con- 
dition of cvdtivation. With a cultivation to a garden condition, an even 
distribution of seed and a fair cover, fifteen pounds of seed to the acre 



is sufl&cient without a nurse crop, and twenty pounds is perhaps better 
under average conditions. If good work is performed in preparing the 
seed bed it is as cheap as additional seed and very much better. 

We recommend twenty poimds of seed per acre with a germinating 
percentage of 90 per cent. n 

KIND OF SEED AND HOW SEEDED 

Mild climatic seeds will germinate in a more severe climate but do not 
stand the necessary after tests. Climatization of seeds is a pronounced 
necessity. The permanency of an alfalfa crop is a large element in its 
value and the severe test of permanency, other conditions being favorable, 
lies in the winter-resisting power of the plant, made possible by acclima- 
tion of seed. Theorists inform us there is no complete remedy against 
winter killing, on account of there being no seed yet sufficiently climatized to 
wholly resist it. We agree with such theory, but the seed that has been 
longest produced under same conditions will produce the highest per cent 
of good results under similar conditions. If seed can be secured in a 
locality where it is to be seeded and it has been successfully produced in 
such locality for a period of time, it is the most desiratjle seed to use, the 
period of time it has been produced in such locality adding value to it as a 
seed for such locality. If you cannot secure such desirable seed, secure 
seed that has been produced in a more remote locality but where conditions 
are similar to your locality. 

Good seed is determined not only by the value of the first crop, but by 
its permanency. 

SEED VARIETIES 

The Turkestan varieties have been recommended for use in South 
Dakota and as far south as the south Nebraska line. "Grimm's" alfalfa, 
a history of which is given in this booklet, is also recommended, as it seems 
to have the longest location pedigree in a location desirable for use in the 
district we have described; and we recommend this class of seed. The 
merits of "Grimm's" alfalfa are dependent entirely on its unbroken period 
of location production, producing a seed so climatized as to withstand the 
winters peculiar to the northwest, where the temperature in winter is low 
and dry, and where a small amount of snow falls frequentiy and is retained 
on the fields. 

Secure seed as we have recommended and perpetuate it by reproduction 
until you have added to its value by acclimation. It is conceded acclima- 
tion is the most important essential of a new alfalfa seed. If your field 
is winter-killed, it is largely a question of seed acclimation and you should 
remedy it by another attempt. 

Do not mix alfalfa and other grass seeds. 



MANNER AND PROCEDURE IN SEEDING 

Regarding the question of how to seed, it is highly important to secure 
an even, sufficient distribution of the top soil from one to one and one-half 
inches in depth, according to moisture conditions. The seed should be 
sufficiently deep in the ground to be brought in contact with moisture 
sufficient to insure germination. 

Assuming the plot of ground is to be small (from one to ten acres), 
we prefer the small hand crank seeder. It requires more time than the 
drill or large seeder, but if a large acreage is seeded and the press drill 
used, we recommend seeding the field both ways and without a nurse crop. 
We prefer to recommend seeding without a nurse crop, as the alfalfa can 
then be harvested without regard to any specific time — any time considered 
best — either for the alfalfa or to exterminate weeds; while if a nurse crop 
existed, the alfalfa might in some way be injured by waiting a proper time 
to harvest the nurse crop. A nurse crop is not necessary during the growing 
season and affords little aid at other times. As a weed exterminator it has 
advantages, but its disadvantages are many and the weeds can be killed 
more effectively in a different manner. A nurse crop has to be removed 
to treat weeds. The nurse crop also absorbs a part of the moisture 
from the ground and it is often best to cut alfalfa after the seeding 
the first season to destroy weeds which could not be done if there was a 
nurse crop. 

THE TIME TO SEED ALFALFA 

The proper time to seed, we think, is as soon after the fifteenth of May 
as possible, not later than June 10th, and never seed unless ground is 
moist at a depth where seed will lodge deep enough to insure germination. 
The object in spring seeding is to secure as strong and healthy a plant 
as possible to resist winter climatic conditions. It must be reasonable 
to assume such strong, well rooted plant would have advantages over 
one ofjyounger growth and less developed root. We have never been 
successful in treating spots that did not have a stand from first seeding, by 
re-seeding such spots. The causes that produced the first result always 
existed, and yet if it was a result of soil conditions it would have been dis- 
covered and successfully treated by application of the different elements 
necessary. In our re-seeding, the cause was usually a depression not 
drained, which could with time and work have been remedied, but the 
remedy should be applied before seeding the first time. Drainage will 
usually add to uniformity if there is a growth in other parts of the field. 
Late seeding gives time for necessary previous cultivation and weed extermi- 
nation. 



TREATMENT OF UNIFORM THIN GROWTH 

The disk is resorted to by many to thicken and even a stand of alfalfa. 
We think it proper after the first year, provided conditions are favorable, 
but care should be exercised to prevent harm. It is necessary to ^ have 
a reasonably uniform stand to avoid weeds where a stand is thin, for if 
weeds are not eradicated they wUl soon destroy a thin alfalfa stand. You 
will succeed better than to re-seed and you may have to sacrifice one or two 
crops to secure a satisfactory stand; if so do it, as the good stand is neces- 
sary. If necessary to eradicate weeds, make other sacrifices by cutting 
the alfalfa high above the ground a few times. We have recommended 
other preventatives for weeds which we consider more desirable. You 
have noted we have not advocated re-seeding; we have not been successful 
along such lines. We recommend proper and thorough cultivation and 
proper seed bed, and results will come without other assistance. If neces- 
sary to use the disk, set the blades straight and do not tear the ground, but 
cut it, and the crowns will not be injured. 

"PROCEDURE AND TIME OF HARVEST 

We have now covered the preliminary work of alfalfa production from 
selection of ground to completion of seeding, and the next in order is harvest 
and care of crop. There is no experiment necessary for this purpose. 
Harvesting at the proper time and in the proper manner is important, in 
order not to injure succeeding crops and to preserve and secure the crop 
harvested. The time to harvest is when the crop is in early bloom and the 
manner is to cut the crop from two to three inches above the ground. We 
have secured the best results by such procedure and there wUl be very little 
exception taken to this procedure by those who have finally adopted this 
method. Too close cutting, too early or too late harvest has a detrimental 
effect which can be prevented by the two propositions regarding time and 
method of harvest. When it first begins to bloom the new shoot is just 
starting for the succeeding crop, and we do not advocate too close cutting 
and never too late in the season. 

PRESERVATION OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY 

The method of preservation is not a simple one; it involves preservation 
of quality and of quantity and is more slow and requires more care and 
work than ordinary hay harvest. The less handling the better; additional 
handling carries loss in quantity. The dropping of leaves from a cured 
plant means serious loss and is easUy accomplished; as a consequence 
the procedure should be slow enough to insure care and preservation. 
This can be done, the method being to only harvest, if possible, what can 
be cared for in one day; and placing in barn, shed or stack only in such 



quantities that it will finish the curing or preservation process without 
injury and not be so fully cured when handled as to lose in quantity by 
the breaking and loss of leaves. This requires judgment and care, yet 
can be done without loss of time. The hay racks should be covered with 
old cloth or sacks to prevent loss in transit. It will be observed that the 
curing of alfalfa that is to be stored in bams, sheds or stacked, should 
be done on a bright day with no dew or moisture on the hay. 

PRESERVATION AND HANDUNG IN STACKS 

If alfalfa is to be stacked, practically the same method can be used. 
In starting, do not load on the stack more than three or four feet of partly 
preserved alfalfa until that amount has cured; then proceed to construct 
the stack in sections at intervals, allowing sufl&cient intermediate time 
to cure the preceding sections in the stack. If necessary, several stacks 
can be in course of construction simultaneously, to make the work contin- 
uous. The same care should be used in taking the stack down for use. 
The stack should always be cut with a hay knife and not removed in a 
promiscuous way, like other hay. We recommend moderate sized stacks 
and we advise a complete covering with a good quality of cured prairie 
hay, after alfalfa preservation is assured. It must be remembered that 
alfalfa hay is more susceptible to injury by weather conditions than the 
wild prairie grasses. 

HARVESTING AND SECURING SEED 

When the ball is matured, examination will develop a mature inside 
seed, usually about ten days after disappearance of the blossom. If the 
crop is harvested in the usual way and threshed before stacking it saves 
additional handling and loss. Hullers and other properly improved ma- 
chinery are best, of course, but we anticipate such improved machinery will 
not always be available. The threshing machme has performed our work, 
with the sieves set much the same as for flax threshing. Many balls were 
not broken in this process, and it required an extra amount of cleaning, 
which was undesirable. After the necessary cleaning, the seed should be 
kept dry and not be exposed to extreme temperatures. 

Testing alfalfa seeds can be accomplished in the same manner as with 
other seeds. For this purpose take two flannel pads with a tin plate, the 
pads evenly moistened and kept at an even room temperature. Between 
these moistened pads place one hundred seeds, those germinating being 
the percentage demonstrating the test. Either the first or the second crop 
will produce seed, but we have preferred to use the second, as it gave 
us the first early hay and we were more liable to secure three cuttings during 
the season by the first early harvest. 

10 



LONGEVITY OF ALFALFA FIELDS 

This is dependent on conditions; we have seen fields twenty-four years 
old in Meade County, South Dakota, without irrigation, that were in a 
healthy condition, producing a profitable crop. The water line, conditions 
of soil and the opportunities given by eradication of weeds, and an oc- 
casional light manure top dressing and necessary attention, will add ma- 
terially to longevity. We know South Dakota, and especially the western 
section, is specially adapted to a profitable alfalfa growth, and with proper 
procedure, unusual longevity is assured for the plants. 

ALFALFA A SOIL MAKER 

As alfalfa is one of the legume or clover family, it possesses inherent 
soil-making qualities. Its extraction of nitrogen from the air assists in 
building plant tissue, and as the foundation for a crop rotation it has merit 
equal to clover. There is no intelligent person who does not advocate crop 
rotation as a necessity, and intelligent rotation begins with a legume crop; 
and if a foimdation for crop rotation can be produced at a profit and main- 
tained by unusual longevity, it is apparent that it has no equal, either for 
profitable production or as a soil maker. Its use, therefore, is as much 
to be encouraged for the one purpose as the other; we will demonstrate 
more particularly regarding its commercial value, however, for its value as 
a soil maker is not challenged. 

VALUE OF ALFALFA FOR HAY AND PASTURE 

Alfalfa has more varied uses as hay than for pasturage. It is more 
valuable for hog pasture than for other farm animals, yet such use is 
detrimental to a permanent stand of alfalfa. Other animals can be pas- 
tiired on alfalfa fields with care and profit, but its comparative value, 
everything considered, is more as a hay crop. Pasture has a tendency to 
introduce other grasses and^weeds, and, while it is exceedingly profitable 
for hog pasture, it must be expected that its permanency will not be se- 
cured by such use. 

We think as a general proposition it should be harvested and fed green 
or harvested and preserved and the stand more fully protected. As a 
pasture, care must be taken that it is not fed too dose, so that the crown 
end of the root may be protected. 



11 



TABLE 1 

From the special bulletin issued by Wisconsin State University covering 
experiments made at the Experimental Station Farm, we have compiled a 
comparative value table based on value per ton of timothy hay on the farm 
at $2.50 per ton. 



Comparative 

Yield Comparative Per cent Pounds pro- Pounds pro- value per 

per acre weight green hay protein tein per ton tein per acre acre, based 

on protein 



KIND 



Alfalfa 5.4 tons 

Red Clover 2.5 " 

Timothy 2.3 " 

Brome-grass. . 1.3 " 



100 


18.17% 


363.4 


1962.3 


51.75 


50 


13.28% 


265.6 


664 


17.51 


33.3 


4.74% 


94.8 


218 


5.75 


20 


6.07% 


121.4 


157.8 


4.16 



Against the accurate comparative value as demonstrated by the above 
table is the comparative cost of work, seed and harvest, but charging such 
difference in the table would leave an exceedingly favorable comparison in 
alfalfa production. The table above consists of essentials that vary but 
little making the result dependent only on variation in yield per acre. The 
yield per acre shown in the table is above the average, but it is accurate 
for the place and time it was produced. 



TABLE 2 

The following table shows a comparison of cost incident to production 
of grasses, with other information covering costs up to the harvest and for 
the first year only. It does not include net results, which will be set forth 
in a succeeding table. This is intended as applicable to South Dakota. 
Yqu will note in addition to plowing, we have added $3.50 per acre for 
seeding and extra cultivation, and this money (or labor representing so 
much money) is well invested. 



Pounds Pounds Cost of 
•jrjjijTv seed seed seed 
■^^^ per per per 
bushel acre acre 

Alfalfa 60 20 $3.20 

Red Clover... .60 10 1.20 

Timothy 45 16 .56 

Brome-grass... 20 25 1.75 

Upland .00 



Cost of 
seed 


Plowing 
land 


Extra 
cultivation 


Total 
cost 


per 
pound 


per 
acre 


per 
acre 


per 
acre 


$.16 


$1.00 


$3.50 


$7.70 


.12 


1.00 


3.00 


5.20 


.035 


1.00 


2.00 


3.56 


.07 


1.00 


2.00 


4.75 


.00 


.00 


.00 


.00 



The above table shows in detail the visible cost of perfecting a seed 
bed, necessary labor and expense the first year. We do not include any 
harvest expense the first year, as it is not anticipated that the first crop 
will more than pay such expense of harvest, consisting chiefly of necessary 
expense in cutting at an opportune time to eliminate weeds. The item 
of "extra cultivation" will ordinarily cover other expenses. 



12 



TABLE 3 

An estimated South Dakota table of comparative values of hay pro- 
duced without other than procedure oudined by us, and based on such 
estimated yields per acre as will appeal to the reader as natural and reason- 
able, is as follows. It is based on a value of $2.50 per ton of timothy and 
an average of 2 J tons per acre. The production is considered conservative. 













Comparative 




Yield 


Per cent 


Pounds 


Pounds 


value 


KIND 


per , 


protein, 


protein 


protein 


per acre, 




acre 


hay 


per ton 


per acre 


based on 
protein 



Alfalfa 2.5 ton 

Red Clover If " 

Timothy l| " 

Upland 1 

Brome- Grass 1 " 



18.17% 


363.4 


908 


$23.98 


13.28% 


265.6 


464 


12.25 


4.74% 


94.8 


142 


3.75 


6.25% 


125. 


125 


3.30 


6.09% 


121.4 


121 


3.19 



The above is an estimated yield per acre, with the actual test of protein 
in each kind of plant and its comparative value per ton. This is done by 
taking timothy at $2.50 per ton on the farm as a basis, based also on per- 
centage of protein each item contains. We have included upland prairie 
hay to make the table valuable as a South Dakota comparison, and against 
above values per acre should be charged the difference in cost of seed, work 
and harvesting of each crop, shown in another table. For feeding pur- 
poses the relative amount of protein would produce a more conservative 
estimate for alfalfa than the others, as it is a more equally balanced ration. 

TABLE 4 

The following table shows in detail the second year's expense in har- 
vesting and securing the crop, the total expense and gross value per acre 
and the net results. The preliminary expenses in table 2 are not included 
for the reason that in the alfalfa crop such expense would-be absorbed 
through the years of future growth. 

These figures are based on an average yield of 2J tons per acre. 



jr jj^j-v Cost per acre Cost per acre Total cost 
to harvest to secure per acre 
SECOND YEAR 

Alfalfa $1.00 $3.25 $4.25 

Red Clover 55 2.00 2.55 

Timothy 40 1.55 1.95 

Brome-Grass 30 1.15 1.45 

Upland 25 1.15 1.40 





Net profit 




per acre, 


Total value 


based on 


per acre 


protein 


$23.98 


$19.73 


12.25 


9.70 


3.75 


1.80 


3.30 


1.85 


3.19 


1.79 



The'^above table is applicable to South Dakota conditions. It is in- 
tended to be conservative, but is subject of course to varying conditions. 
We insist that the cost of preparation for the alfalfa seed bed is absolutely 
necessary in order to secure adequate results. 



13 



TABLE 5 

A farmer operating a farm of 160 acres and desiring to engage in mixed 
farming and to maintain soil fertility must engage in live stock production 
and produce legume crops for feed and as an additional soil maker, and 
assuming that twenty-five acres of one crop would be the maximum, we 
have compiled the following table showing comparative results from 
twenty-five acre plots yielding an average of 2^ tons per acre. 

^Tj^Tj Value per acre, Value 25 acres, 
based on protein based on protein 

Alfalfa $19.73 $493.25 

Red Clover... 9.70 242.50 

Timothy 1.80 45.00 

Brome-Grass 1.85 46.25 

Upland Hay 1.79 44.75 

The above represents the net value, all cost of production and harvest 
deducted, based on comparative value and production, and is of course 
subject to variation. The estimates are intended to be conservative and 
are based on procedure we have outlined, which would without doubt 
produce results not much at variance with these figures. 

The question of the number of acres of alfalfa to produce on a farm' of 
one hundred and sixty acres is dependent on many considerations. From 
tables submitted the question that is raised at once is, "Why not produce 
more alfalfa by devoting more acres to alfalfa?" The answer is found 
in former statements — few farms have in one plot more than twenty-five 
acres out of a total of one hundred and sixty acres that is in every way 
adapted to such use when all conditions of soil are favorable, as the right 
location, perfect drainage and other favorable considerations are usually 
found in plots of less than twenty-five acres. A gentle slope is preferable, 
not too much, but void of even slight depressions where water will remain 
for several hours and thus destroy the growth. We advise smaller plots, a 
few acres in favored localities and the aggregate acreage confined to a 
small area. Thus the results will be equal to a much larger area, if all 
necessary conditions are carefully observed, and the acreage can at a future 
time be increased to meet further demands. 

While it is a fact that results displayed in the tables published herein 
are based on average conditions, yet these results are largely dependent 
on the amount of work put in on the seed bed and the crop. If ample 
preparation, care and cultivation are not given the result is not only cor- 
respondingly less, but the parity of the figures in these tables is entirely 
destroyed. 

Seed is expensive and if the work is to an extent experimental, reduce 
the acreage until such time as you produce your own seed, then seed in plots 
in a dozen different favored localities in preference to selecting one field of 
varied conditions. One acre will produce a reasonable test; one hundred 
acres might be a problem. In any event it will not be so much of a problem 
if the one acre has proved a success. Our advice is directed to the small 
farmer who is beginning an experiment which, if reasonably successful, 
will prove a decided success in every way. 

14 



TABLE 6 

From the experimental station bulletin No. 105, University of Nebraska, 
we rompile some comparative values in feeding experiments, the test in 
the following table being made with 100 grade calves, winter feed, December 
15th to April 11th, and in addition to the hay with which comparison is 
made, each calf received a daily grain ration of two pounds, consisting of 
two-thirds corn and one-third oats. 

n '3 ^ CO ^ m 

01 g^" ® -CO ja'd 5j'g 

KIND ^^.s-gi^ _& g« So ^i 

O.S o - >.3 o 5d rtg tag-3 2g-3 

Alfalfa 20 116 1 .23 lbs. 143 lbs. 12.3 lbs. 1000 lbs. 162 lbs. 

Prairie hay 20 116 .65 " 76 " 10.9 " 1676 " 305 " 

Cane 20 116 .39 " 46 " 14.3 " 3666 « 504 " 

J each alfalfa and prairie 

hay 20 116 1.14 " 133 " 15 " 1315 " 174 " 

i each alfalfa and cane. ...20 116 1.20 " 140 " 17 " 1416 " 165 " 

This table is complete to an extent that shows the relative value of alfalfa 
with other forage and a light grain ration, and especially as a winter feed. 
All of the calves while on feed were subjected to similar treatment, the 
only exception being the kind and quantity of hay above mentioned. The 
table shows the favorable results from alfalfa hay and the production per 
acre would add greatly to this favorable comparison. 

TABLE 7 

This table shows the same calves as included in table 6. The second 
winter, ten of the original steers withdrew, leaving eighteen in each lot and 
five lots. The feed had been revised, those fed alfalfa the first winter 
were fed cane in this table; those fed prairie hay the previous winter were 
fed one-half each of alfalfa and cane; those fed cane the first winter were fed 
alfalfa in this table; those fed one-half each alfalfa and prairie hay the first 
winter, received the same in this table; those fed one-half each alfalfa and 
cane the first winter were fed prairie hay in this table. No grain was fed 
with this test and the experiment covered a period of four months. 

_ 

Alfalfa 18 120 .67 lbs. Gain 81 lbs. Gain 2424 20 .2 lbs. 2990 lbs. 

Prairie hay 18 120 .15 lbs. Loss 18 lbs. Loss 2242 18 .7 Loss 

Cane IS 120 .53 lbs. Loss 64 lbs. Loss 2881 24 Loss 

i each alfalfa and 

prairie hay. ... 18 120 .51 lbs. Gain 62 lbs. Gain 2471 20.5 2950 
i each aKalf a and 

cane 18 120 .76 lbs. Gain 92 lbs. Gain 2721 22 . 7 3980 

There being no grain used in this experiment and the groups being 
revised from the previous winter, makes the result a most interesting 
one — showing the comparison favorable to alfalfa. The result in this 
table should be carefully considered in connection with the change in 
feed from previous winter. 

15 



TABLE 8 

Comparative value of hay and corn fodder, fed with an equal amount 
of snapped corn at Agricultural Experimental Station (Bulletin No. 93), 
University of Nebraska. The experiment was made with six lots of ten 
steers each, practically even weight and conditions, which were fed twelve 
weeks. The amount of snapped corn being equal in each lot with the 

exception of th e last two. 

I ^^s fcTa T5 Jfc T^s il el's, 

g^ et^ 2^^ 2S§ s^.s .s^^g -f^ . -si J 
^ <& <^a <^a <2i.g <S-g cS.g (Si a Hga 

Prairie hay 975 101 1.20 9.47 18.22 7.87 15.16 23.03 

Prairie and alfalfa 979 169 2.01 9.47 21.10 4.70 10.47 15.17 

Alfalfa 977 173 2.06 9.47 22.15 460 10.75 15.35 

Corn stover 976 86 1.02 9.47 22.86 9.25 22.44 31.69 

Corn stover and alfalfa 974 165 1.96 9.61 22.45 4.90 11.44 16.34 

Corn fodder and alfalfa 972 152 1.81 9.61 22.45 5.31 12.41 17 72 

This table is interesting from the fact that it shows relative gains on 
this class of steers, two years old, fed grain and alfalfa, and grain and 
other hay and fodder. The distinction between corn fodder and corn 
stover is as follows: corn stover is the stalk when the ears and husks have 
been removed; fodder is the stalk with the husk attached. The above 
experiment closed January 24th, which represents an early feeding. 

TABLE 9 

Comparative value of different rations, including alfalfa hay, as a 
mixture with other grains and compared with other hay and other mixtures — 
Agricultural Experimental Station Bulletin No. 93, University of Nebraska. 
The experiment was made with the same steers as in table 8, commenced 
February 15th and was for a period of eight weeks. Three weeks inter- 
vened between the two experiments and during that time the steers were 
gradually changed from snapped to shelled corn. 

•C:2aS q>. pa "^^ Ig, Ig, "f 

KIND «fc^oo. "|5 SS fS'^p; 8g 8§ ^S. 

< g.<-a a. ^-a o a. Oh g a. O a. X a . h 5 S- 

Shelled corn and prai- 
rie hay 1176 71 1.27 lbs. 19.1 lbs. 5.5 lbs. 15.10 lbs. 3.94 lbs. 19.04 lbs. 

Shelled corn 75%, bran 
25% and prairie hay 1146 111 1.98 " 25.5 " 5.5 " 12.97 " 2.78 " 15.75 " 

Shelled corn 90%, oil- 
meal 10% and prai- 
rie hay 1187 141 2.52 " 24.6 " 6.8 " 9.77 " 2.70 " 12.47 " 

Shelled corn 90%,cot- 
tonseed meal 10% 
and prairie hay... 1154 128 2.29 " 24.6 " 6.2 " 10.77 " 2.72 " 13.49 " 

Shelled corn and one- 
half each alfalfa and 
prairie hay 1164 128 2.29 « 23.2 « 8.1 " 10.16 « 3.55 " 13.71 " 

Corn and cob meal and 
one-half each alfalfa 
and prairie hay. ■ 1169 110 1.95 " 19.2 " 7.5 " 9.77 " 3-85 " 13.62 " 

16 



The object of table 9 is to show the relative results of protein con- 
centrates (as in bran, oil meal and cottonseed meal) as compared with 
protein in roughness (as in alfalfa). The results as noted are again favor- 
able. 

TABLE 10 

Comparative value of a corn ration fed in different quantities to hogs on 
alfalfa pasture, Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Nebraska 
Bulletin No. 99. The experiment was made with three lots of 17 hogs 
each, of an average equal weight, being of a light weight class, the experi- 
ment being for 98 days. 

No. In pounds Average Grain fed 
KIND of pigs No. days fed average daily gain per 100 
in each lot gain in pounds lbs, gain 

1. Alfalfa pasture and ^ 

corn per 100 lbs 17 98 27 .28 124 

2. Alfalfa pasture and 1^ 

corn per 100 lbs 17 98 36 .37 222 

3. Alfalfa pasture and 2^ 

corn per 100 lbs 17 98 48 .51 332 

The "J corn" means one-half pound per 100 pounds of hog daily, the 
weight being taken and adjustment of corn to such weight made each two 
weeks. 

With corn at 35 cents per bushel and hogs at $5.50 per cwt., the profit 
would be represented as follows: 

Lot 1 $1 . 28 on each pig 

Lot 2 1.48 " " " 

Lot 3 1.64 " " " 

The above would be exclusive of value of alfalfa pasture. 

TABLE 11 

Comparison of value of alfalfa with other grain rations and with com 
and with barley; Agricultural Experiment Bulletin No. 99, University of 
Nebraska. There were 60 hogs placed in six lots of ten hogs each. 

Number Average Grain 
KIND Number c . Average Average daily fed per 
of ipigs fgj^ weight gain gain in 100 
pounds pounds 

Corn 10 91 131 104 1 . 14 528 

Corn and alfalfa hay 10 91 131 116 1 .27 491 

Corn 75%, alfalfa cut 25% 10 91 131 115 1.26 420 

Barley 10 91 126 102 1.12 573 

Barley and alfalfa hay 10 91 127 110 1 .21 562 

Barley 75%, alfalfa cut 25% ... 10 91 127 98 1.07 492 

This was an important test and represents an intermediate weight of 
hog in the test. 

17 



TABLE 12 

Comparative value of alfalfa pasture and no grain. This is compiled 
from Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 99, University of 
Nebraska. These hogs were more mature than those in the preceding 
table and were one year and over, showing light weight, mature hogs. The 
three lots fed at different dates give fair average tests. 

Number Number Average Average 
of pigs days gain daily gain 

in lot experiment pounds pounds 

June 17th to August 26th, 1904 14 70 34 .5 

August 20th to October 22nd, 1904 10 63 27 .43 

July 27th to October 20th, 1904 18 95 50 .53 

The first lot of 14 hogs were over one year old and thin; the second 
lot dry brood sows and the third lot same as second lot. The entire lot 
averaged 4.9 pounds gain per day; the average days fed 76 

TABLE 13 

We have compiled this table from the preceding tables, 10, 11 and 12, 
showing hogs on light corn and alfalfa pasture; hogs on alfalfa and other 
grains mixed, and on com and barley without alfalfa, and hogs on alfalfa 
pasture without other rations. 

Average Average Grain fed 
number number Average Average Average per 
of days weight gain daily gain 100 lbs. 
hogs fed of hog 

Table No. 10. .. . 17 98 52 37 .39 229 
Table No. 11.... 10 91 129 107.5 1.18 511 
Table No. 12. .. . 14 76 173 37 ^49 

This table represents a summary comparison of tables 10, 11 and 12. 
The details of each separate table should be studied to give desired results. 

In the tables submitted we have secured those only where alfalfa was 
the entire ration or a part of it; and while our combination tables represent 
a summary, it is not of value compared with each separate experiment 
made in tables preceding. We think on the whole the tests have covered 
such periods of time, conditions and other range of essentials as to make 
them a subject of interesting study. 



18 



HARDY ALFALFA 

by 
W. A. Wheeler, Secretary and Manager Dakota Improved Seed 
Co., Mitchell, S. D. 

Since the introduction of alfalfa into the northwest as a farm crop the 
question of hardiness has been one of prime importance. It is only in recent 
years that alfalfa has come to be considered as one of the important crops 
of the northwest. It has been grown in the middle west and western states, 
south of the 42nd or 43rd parallel in the United States for more than half 
a century, and it has been under cultivation in the Old World according 
to historic records since the 5th century B. C. In recent years it has 
foimd its way into Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Michi- 
gan and even into Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Since its advent into this 
northern territory the question of hardiness has been given some attention 
by experiment stations and alfalfa growers. The alfalfa plant as a forage 
crop is so valuable that the subject is worthy of a great deal of attention, for 
if alfalfa can be produced with safety and profit throughout the north- 
western states, it will become the most general and profitable hay crop 
grown. 

In taking up the subject of hardy alfalfa it is not my intention to dis- 
courage in the least the growth of alfalfa as a general crop in the northwest. 
Instead of this I wish to do everything I can to extend the growth of this 
valuable forage crop. However, if we are going to have stocks of alfalfa 
that will live through our hardest winters, making it possible to have a 
single field remain in good condition for from 25 to 50 years, we will have 
to look to special hardy varieties. In spite of the fact that hardiness is 
an attribute of so great importance, comparatively little attention has been 
given to the producing, breeding or securing of hardy strains. It will be 
of interest to all farmers in the northwest to know what has been done in 
this line of work and what progress has been made toward the securing of 
a strain of alfalfa that will be hardy under all conditions. 

The alfalfas which were brought over to this country and which were 
first introduced into cultivation were southern stocks which were brought 
from the southern regions of Europe and Asia. These being brought 
direcdy from the milder climate did not give the best of results in the north- 
west because of their inability to withstand our severe winters. The yields 
that they produced were very large and showed the possibilities of this 
crop when we would be able to secure hardy strains. The Minnesota 
Experiment Station was one of the first of the northern states to seriously 
take up the proposition of endeavoring to secure alfalfa adapted to our 
conditions. About eight or ten years ago there was called to the attention 
of the Minnesota Experiment Station an alfalfa that was growing in the 

19 



vicinity of Excelsior, near Lake Minnetonka. It was noticed that the 
farmers in that vicinity had been growing alfalfa for a number of years 
and had succeeded in maintaining their fields through the winters without 
loss to the stand, while in many other sections of the state alfalfa very 
frequently killed out in severe winters. It was thought at first that this 
might be due to local conditions in the vicinity of Excelsior, but it was very 
soon discovered that the farmers who did not use their home-grown seed 
from this particular stock but sent away for their seed did not secure the 
restdts that were obtained from the homegrown stocks. Repeated trials 
were made with seed secured from other more southern localities, where 
alfalfa was made a general crop, and a large number of failures resulted. 
When Professors Hays and Boss, of the Minnesota Experiment Station, 
had this particular alfalfa called to their attention they started an investi- 
gation to determine what had been the record of this alfalfa in the vicinity 
of Excelsior. They succeeded in bringing out the complete history of 
this stock and were aided by Mr. A. B. Lyman, of Excelsior, who gave 
them every possible assistance in securing this information and later in 
securing seed of this hardy alfalfa for trial. The original source of this 
alfalfa is given very briefly by Mr. Chas. Brand in an article in Science 
^r-m which I quote as follows: 

"In that year (1857) there came to this country from^the 
littie village of Kulsheim, near Wertheim, in the Grand Duchy 
of Baden, a German farmer named Wendelin Grimm. Like 
many of his countrymen Grimm went west, taking up a farm 
in Carver County, Minn. 

"Among the few possessions that he brought from his old 
home with him was a small bag containing less than twenty 
pounds of seed of the alfalfa or lucerne, commonly cultivated 
in Baden. Grimm applied numerous local_[mames to this 
alfalfa, but most commonly he called it 'ewiger Klee' (ever- 
lasting clover) referring to its perennial nature. 

"This small lot of seed was the progenitor of an alfalfa 
industry that has existed in Carver Coimty, Minn., for more 
than a generation and which is now being extended into other 
parts of the cold northwest." 
This gives briefly the origin of the hardy^alfalfa which is now well 
and favorably known under the name of the Grimm alfalfa or Grimm's 
Everlasting Alfalfa. 

It is true that we have had only a few years in which to study the Grimm 
alfalfa since it was first located and called to the attention of scientists, but 
every evidence that we have of records since that time and every record 
that we have found of the results obtained from it since it was first brought 
into this country, go to demonstrate its unusual hardiness and general 

20 



adaptability to northwestern conditions. The U. S. Department of Agri- 
culture and all of the state experiment stations in the northwest are today 
working with this stock in particular. 

I saw a field of it in Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1906, which had with- 
stood the winter when the other stocks under trial were almost entirely 
killed out. In North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota it has always 
shown its hardiness, never to my knowledge having been excelled in this 
respect where a good comparison was made. It is a fact that at the Min- 
nesota Experiment Station, the Grimm alfalfa has to some extent been kUled 
out under most severe conditions. It is well known, however, that there 
are conditions in the vicinity of the Twin Cities and many other portions 
of eastern Minnesota which are very unfavorable for alfalfa, and these fac- 
tors are to a large extent responsible for some of the failures in this region. 
In fact, the Grimm alfalfa, in its adopted home near Excelsior, Minn., 
rarely produces seed enough to pay for cutting the crop for this purpose. 
In South Dakota, however, under conditions prevailing in the vicinity 
of Highmore and Mitchell, Grimm alfalfa is one of the best seed producers 
that we have, often producing twice as much seed as any other stock under 
trial, excepting S. D. No. 167. This latter number is one of unknown 
origin. The only record that we have of it as to source is that it has been 
grown in South Dakota for about 12 years. In all tests with the Grimm 
alfalfa it seems to produce the same amount of seed, starts just as early in 
the spring and has an equal forage value. In fact it appears to be identical 
with the Grimm alfalfa. 

Aside from the work that has been done on the Grimm alfalfa, large 
numbers of importations of alfalfa have been made from Turkestan in the 
hope of finding an alfalfa that would be perfectly hardy in the northwest. 
Several of the importations that have been made and tried out have proved 
to be quite hardy in trials at the Dakota Experiment Stations and in Min- 
nesota. Many others have proved very tender. This result is of course 
to be expected, for the province of Turkestan is a very large country and has 
a range of climate from a very mild temperate climate in the south to rather 
a severe climate in the north of the province. Following the first introduc- 
tion and recommendation of Turkestan alfalfas there have been a large 
number of importations into the United States by commercial seedsmen 
without any regard to the region of Turkestan from which they came. 
The general importations of Turkestan alfalfa are, therefore, today, to a 
large extent discredited as hardy alfalfas. In comparisons made of com- 
mercial Turkestan alfalfa with commercial stocks from southern points 
I find that the Turkestan alfalfas in general are more hardy than the 
southern stocks, but aside from hardiness they have shown that they are 
not in general good seed producers. This has been especially true with 
those stocks which have shown the greatest amount of hardiness. This 

21 



naturally places them at a great disadvantage in comparison with other 
stocks that would produce an amount of seed sufl&cient to be handled in a 
commercial way. 

The Grimm alfalfa in its adopted home near Excelsior does not usually 
produce a large amount of seed, but this is true of all alfalfas in that vicinity. 
When grown in the Dakotas and Montana, Grimm alfalfa appears to be a 
better seed producer than any of the commercial strains or any other of the 
improved stocks. Bulletin No. 101 from the South Dakota Experimental 
Station gives a report of the trials at the Highmore and Brookings stations 
made by the writer during the seasons of 1905 and 1906. These records 
cover too brief a period to draw any definite conclusions; however, the 
evidence given in the bulletin is in accordance with other reports from other 
experiment stations and so is worth considering. 

From the tests in South Dakota four stocks have proved hardy and are 
recommended. They are the following: 

South Dakota No. 162: The Grimm alfalfa which has 
been grown for over fifty years near Excelsior, Minn. In 
Canada, North and South Dakota and Minnesota this has 
proved the hardiest alfalfa under trial. 

South Dakota No. 167: Secured by the South Dakota 
experiment station at Brookings in 1905. On all tests since 
that date at the Highmore and Brookings stations and in my 
plats at Mitchell this appears to be the same as the Grimm 
alfalfa. It has shown itself equal in hardiness and seed 
production. Its record is not known for as many years as 
the Grimm but so far as known it is equal to it. 

South Dakota No. 164: Grown for several generations 
at Brookings and Highmore from P. I. No. 991, imported 
by Prof. Hanson for the U. S. Department of Agriculture 
in 1898. 

South Dakota No. 240: According to the records this 
is from the same source as No. 164. It has been growTi con- 
tinually at the Highmore experiment station from the original 
seeding. It is not equal to No. 164 at present in seed pro- 
duction. 
Aside from these numbers there are being tried at the Brookings and 
Highmore stations and next year will be tried at a large number of the 
South Dakota State Experiment Stations the stocks that were brought over 
from Russia by Prof. Hanson the past season. It will naturally take ten or 
fifteen years before the value of any of these can be very dearly determined, 
but it will be of interest in the meantime to keep watching all of them and 
note what results are being obtained. 

22 



At the Minnesota station the Grimm alfalfa seems to be very much 
the most promising and this is highly recommended. The selection and 
breeding of alfalfa at this station has been handicapped by the fact that 
very little, if any, seed is ordinarily produced by the selected plants because 
of the unfavorable conditions for seed production. 

In North Dakota Grimm alfalfa has been grown in various ways. 
No full report has yet been made by the experiment station, but several 
results have been secured, all of which point to the fact that the Grimm 
alfalfa is the hardiest under trial. They have also had good results from 
gene al Montana grown seed and the Turkestan alfalfas. There is being 
carried on at the present time at the Dickenson Experiment Station in 
North Dakota, an investigation of a large number of kinds of alfalfa from 
all over the world to determine their comparative hardiness. Mr. L. R. 
Waldron who is in charge of the experiment station at Dickenson, in 
writing in the Dakota Farmer regarding this first year's trial, says: 
"We had 68 strains go through, or attempt to go through, 
the winter of 1908-1909. There were eleven consecutive days 
of that winter which averaged colder than any similar period 
in any winter since records were kept, which I think is since 
1891. During those eleven days the ground was only slightly 
protected by snow. With the kind permission of the Dakota 
Farmer I desire to give in its columns in the near futvire some 
of the results of this experiment as far as it goes. To say the 
results are of interest and value is putting it mildly. Without 
spoiling the promised article, I might say that we found the 
winter divided the alfalfa into two groups. These groups 
are: the Grimm Alfalfa and — the others." 
This simply adds one more evidence as to the hardiness of the Grimm 
alfalfa in North Dakota. 



23 



ALFALFA 

by 

J. V. Bopp, Associate Professor of Agronomy, 

South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station 

South Dakota has demonstrated that its soils and climate are adapted 
to produce plants in many respects. The production and steady increase 
has kept stride with the development of the country and in some localities 
has outstripped it, so that in some regions more is produced than is needed 
for consumption and is baled and exported to other markets. The acreage 
is being gradually pushed out of the region of the James River and out 
of the Black Hills into that area which was thought, until a few years ago, 
only fit for stock raising. 

Bountiful crops have been produced in the Black Hills without irriga- 
tion, yields of two to three and one half tons not being uncommon. Farther 
east of this section the crops are somewhat lighter, the average being from 
one to two tons per acre. 

Within the last few years, however, a new industry has sprung up, that 
of growing alfalfa for its seed. Phenomenal yields have been secured 
which are not surpassed in any other section of the country. Instances 
have been known where it yielded twelve bushels of seed per acre and 
an average of from six to eight bushels are quite common. This crop 
is grown after harvesting the first cutting for hay, and what this industry 
will mean for South Dakota can be easily surmised. Such fields have been 
seeded from five to ten years. There are, however, some fields which 
have stood for twenty-five years and are still giving profitable yields, yet 
the best fields are those seeded recently. 

Alfalfa has a tendency to become thinner in stand as the fields grow 
older. This can be accounted for in part by the fact that very few growers 
give their fields any treatment. I am of the opinion that an alfalfa harrow 
or disk used judiciously would lessen this tendency and thus prolong the 
life of the field. 

Winter-killing seems to be the result of neglect or mistreatment of the 
field rather than to the plant being unable to endure the ordinary climatic 
changes. Well cared for fields have stood the seasonal variations of tem- 
perature and moisture very well. Wherever alfalfa stands in low spots, 
where the soil is poorly drained, its death is only a matter of a short time. 
Where irrigated, low spots must first be drained, otherwise no alfalfa need 
be expected under such conditions. Instances can be shown also where a 
field was cut too late in the season, so that the plants did not have time 
to recover before being subjected to harsh weather; and invariably the field 
would be killed and fail to resume its growth in the spring. 

24 



Lack of cultivation permits the weeds to make their appearance. Were 
the fields disked, influx of weeds could at least be partially checked. Culti- 
vation answers a threefold purpose; that of killing weeds, splitting the 
alfalfa crown and conserving moisture. Where the stand has become 
thin it has been renewed by permitting the few plants to seed, then disking 
this seed in. Heavy stands have thus resulted. 

To the prospective grower, as well as those who have already made 
a success of it, a few timely hints may be of value. In the first place it 
is absolutely essential to select a good field. A hard and fast rule may 
be set down and that is "Alfalfa wUl not stand wet feet." The soil must, 
therefore, be well drained at all times, for standing water will kill it before 
anything else. A soil that is loamy or clayey in texture is better suited than 
sand and is given preference. Where sandy soil has ground water within 
three or four feet of the surface, it will prove as good as loam or clay. Of the 
high upland soils, sand does not do as well as heavier types. Alfalfa 
follows best as a cultivated crop which has been kept comparatively free 
from weeds. The land should be plowed in the fall to a depth of six to 
eight inches. No cultivation should be given this until early spring, 
when it should be disked so that the disk laps half. This is important, for 
the ground shovild be as level as it is possible to get it, in order to secure an 
even stand. The soil should be disked and harrowed in the spring to 
conserve moisture and kill the few chance weeds until May or the fore part 
of June, which is the average time for sowing. 

Most farmers make a practice of seeding with a nurse crop, especially 
where the moisture supply is limited. The Grimm, Turkestan or a 
variety already growing in the locality, should be chosen and sown at the 
rate of twelve to twenty pounds of seed per acre, the rate depending on 
the vitality of the seed and the manner of seeding. 

Alfalfa is best seeded with a drill because it can be distributed more 
evenly and covered at a more uniform depth. For this reason it is highly 
essential to have the seed bed level, because a uniform stand is one of the 
first requirements for successful culture. If the seed is covered too deeply, 
too much energy is required to push to the surface and when seeds ger- 
minate on the surface they are too often kUled by the hot sun. 

The treatment while the plants are small varies with the crop itself. 
If the field becomes weedy, it should be clipped when the plants are from 
four to six inches and the clippings allowed to remain on the field. The 
field is then well harrowed. This has a tendency to stimulate the plants, 
and they respond with renewed vigor. Occasionally, with clean fields, 
a crop may be harvested the first year. However, the plant should have 
made from six to eight inches of growth in order to winter best. 

Alfalfa should be cut for hay when about one-tenth of the blossoms 
are out. After the removal of the hay the field should be double disked 

25 



for the reasons herein mentioned. Two crops are the customary harvest, 
while at times a third is cut. With three cuttings the plants are, however, 
so low in vigor that they easily winter kill. 

Since South Dakota has grown alfalfa successfully for a number of 
years, her future in this respect is indeed bright. Alfalfa makes an ac- 
ceptable feed for all kinds of stock and should, with barley, brighten the 
future of the stock raiser as well as the grain raiser 

HiLLAND (Stanley County), S. D., Dec. 13, 1909. 
Traffic Department, C. & N. W. Ry. Co., 

WmoNA, Minn. 
Gentlemen: — *^ 

My experience with growing alfalfa in Stanley County began nine 
years ago, when I seeded about a quarter of an acre of creek bottom land 
with five pounds of Turkestan alfalfa seed bought in Milwaukee. 
This experimental plat was new ground plowed deep and disked and 
dragged a good many times. I had a good stand and it is a good stand 
now; has been cut three or four times each year, depending on whether 
the first cutting was early or later. Since then I have sown a number of 
different fields, both on upland and bottom land, using homegrown and 
Montana seed. Have not failed to get a good stand and very litde winter 
killing. I made a mistake in using Brome grass with part of my seeding, 
which in time crowds out the alfalfa. 

I have had best results from seeding on clean potato or corn ground, 
disked and dragged early in the spring and again May loth to 20th, seeded 
broadcast at that time and dragged lightly. Last year the early spring 
being very dry, I seeded a few acres on fall plowing with a double disk drill 
at the rate of 20 pounds per acre and got a fine stand and good growth. I 
always seed without a nurse crop and mow at least once, sometimes twice, 
to keep down the weeds, this depending on the rains. All our farming 
has been done without irrigation. Our yield on bottom land has been 
three tons per acre or better; on upland one and one-half to two tons to the 
acre, depending on summer rains. 

I have had a good stand from sowing on sod, but on account of crowding 
out by native grasses the land should be well cultivated for two seasons 
for best results. After cutting first crop I allowed a few acres to go to seed 
the past season and threshed at the rate of four and one-half bushels per 
acre of clean seed. The hay when nicely cured is worth nearly as much 
as the same weight of grain. I find it especially valuable for milch cows, 
colts and calves. 

Yours truly, 

(Signed) E. A. Morrison. 

26 



Aberdeen, S. D., Nov. 14, 1909. 

Traffic Department, C. & N. W. Ry. Co., 

Winona, Minn. 

Gentlemen: — 

Alfalfa can be profitably grown without irrigation in this section of the 
State (that is, the northern part) . A fair average of two cuttings would be 
two and one-half to three tons to the acre. I got three tons without irriga- 
tion. 

None of the alfalfa which I have has passed more than one winter 
but the winter of 1908-09 was a hard winter on alfalfa and clover, although 
mine went through without any injury. The alfalfa I have is called 
Grimm's Minnesota Alfalfa. Weeds do not affect it after it gets well rooted. 
The first year, when the alfalfa is first starting, the weeds will probably be 
quite thick, and I think it should be topped at least twice during the sum- 
mer. Cutting does not hurt the alfalfa but stops the growth of weeds. 

I consider the alfalfa hay raised from an acre of fair alfalfa worth 
from thirty-five to forty dollars. The expense of putting it up is about 
$4.00, so we can say the net return from an acre of alfalfa is $30.00, which 
would be as good a net return from an acre of alfalfa as from two acres of 
corn. 

I have fifteen acres of alfalfa, seven acres of which was seeded in 1908 
and eight acres in 1909. The ground on which it is sowed^is high prairie 
land with heavy loam, and well drained. 

The land I sowed in 1908 was plowed about September 1, 1907, about 
eight inches deep; was cultivated three times in the fall of 1907, and four 
times in the spring of 1908. The cultivation was done by disking and 
dragging. The seed was sowed about the first of June, 1908, and the 
groimd was in good condition. About sixteen pounds of alfalfa seed 
was sown to the acre without a nurse crop. I used a disk drill with a 
grass seeder attachment, putting my seed in the grass seeder, which worked 
finely. The seed used was Grimm's Minnesota Alfalfa. 

The first year it was cut twice, and as high as I could set the mower, 
not only that, but I tilted the mower up so that it cut very high. Both 
cuttings I left remain on the ground as a mulch. In 1909 I cut two crops 
from this field for hay. The first crop I cut when about a fifth was in 
blossom; the second crop came on during harvest and I did not cut it until 
about one-half was in blossom. The yield was three tons to the acre. I 
weighed the first cutting, which yielded a ton and a half to the acre, and 
estimated the second cutting, which was as good or a little heavier than 
the first, although it was not cut as early as it should have been. 

For the eight acres which were sowed in 1909, 1 prepared the land about 
the same as I did the first seven acres, except that I only cultivated it twice 

27 



in the fall and three times in the spring, and did not cut it but once this 
year. In fact, I didn't give this year's seeding as much care as I did last, 
and I think the stand is not as good as I got a year ago. My next alfalfa 
planting I shall do as I did on my first field. 

I also raise timothy and clover, but I consider my alfalfa to be much 
more valuable and shall increase my acreage considerably the next two 
years. In my estimation of alfalfa I figure two and one-half tons to the 
acre at $14.00 per ton; the corn at forty bushels at $0.50 per bushel. It 
is, I think, easier to raise three tons of alfalfa to the acre than fifty bushels 
of corn. I intend after cutting another year to top-dress my alfalfa with 
manure from the cattle yard at the rate of about eight loads to the acre. 

Any good tillable land that does not overflow or have water standing 
on it will grow alfalfa. Forty-eight hours under water will probably kill 
an alfalfa plant and twenty-four hours will do it great damage, therefore 
the land should be well drained. 

Land should be plowed deep and thoroughly cultivated, using every 
effort to destroy all weeds and weed seeds. The cleaner the ground, the 
better chance the young alfalfa will have. 

Seed bed for alfalfa should be free from weeds and trash, plowed deep, 
cultivated with a disk and dragged to make it fine and clean. Seeding may 
be done either with a drill or broadcast, a drill with a grass seed attach- 
ment preferred. If sown broadcast it should be lightly dragged after the 
seeding. 

About fifteen pounds to the acre if sown by the drill ; if sown broadcast, 
a little more than that (possibly eighteen pounds), is the amount of seed that 
should be used. 

The best fields in this section were sown alone, although some good 
esults have been obtained with a nurse crop, but the general opinion is to 
sow the alfalfa alone. 

The first season the field will probably have many weeds or much 
pigeon grass and should be cut two or three times and allowed to fall as a 
mulch on the field. Fight the weeds and the alfalfa will take care of itself 
after the first season. After the first year alfalfa can be cut twice and 
possibly three times, depending very much on the season. 

Yours truly, 

(Signed) Isaac Lincoln. 



28! 



PiERSON Farm, Yankton, S. D., Nov. 28, 1909. 

Traffic Department, C. & N. W. Ry. Co., 
WmoNA, Minn. 

Gentlemen: — 

We have secured two and one-half tons of alfalfa to the acre in two 
cuttings and have pastured the land in the fall. 

The alfalfa has been seeded and produced as above for about twenty 
years. Think it was sown in the spring of 1890. 

If the land on which the alfalfa grows is flooded, or there is a heavy 
snow, it will kill out; but we have not had any killed out by the influx of 
weeds. 

Our alfalfa has been sown on the Missouri River foot bluffs, one mile 
from the bank of the river, on sloping, well-drained ground. It will not 
do well on wet ground with us; will kill out the first year. 

The alfalfa was sown with a crop of spring wheat, after the land had 
been placed in the best condition possible, well plowed and harrowed. 
We sowed the spring wheat and after harrowing well, sowed the alfalfa, 
and then went over with brush drag and smoothed the ground good, sowing 
from 12'to 16 pounds to the acre. 

There has been in all about three hundred acres sown, some of it twenty 
years ago, and same has been cut for hay and pastured more or less each 
year. The crop this season has been as good as for any previous 
year. When plowed up we get big crops of corn and the ground is 
always in fine fix. 

We have had the best results by sowing with a nurse crop and have 
always sown it with spring wheat. 

The proper time to cut alfalfa is when it is in bloom. We cut three 
crops some seasons but found it does better to cut twice and pasture the 
last crop, but not too short. 

(Signed) E. R. Houlton, 

Manager Pierson Farm. 

ViEWFiELD, S. D., Dec. 1, 1909. 
(9 miles north of Underwood, S. D.) 
Traffic Department, C. & N. W. Ry. Co., 

Winona, Mestn. 
Gentlemen: — 

Although there are a few who have grown alfalfa for a long time past 
in this vicinity, the production of same is still in its infancy. For the 
last three years the seed has been threshed to a large extent after the first 
cutting, the sale of such seed being very profitable, as you will note by 
statement of the sale of my 1908 seed crop. 

29 



Number acres harvested for seed 22 

Number bushels seed threshed 180 

Price per bushel $6.00 

Receipts from sale of seed $1,080.00 

Number tons hay cut first cutting 70 

Value hay per ton 8.00 

Value of hay crop 560.00 

Total value crop of the 22 acres - $1,640.00 

An average return per acre of $74.55 

The hay cut from two of my fields this year, first cutting only, which 
was sown by me some eighteen years ago, averaged at least two tons to 
the acre, and with the exception of a few dry years the amovmt cut from the 
first crop was as good if not better'an average than that. Up to three 
years ago, or until the time that I started to thresh the seed, the second 
crop would average from one to one and a half tons per acre, and after 
that cutting I would have the use of the fields as a pasture until well along 
in the spring. 

The only damagej^any of my fields have suffered is through winter- 
killing, due to water standing on it and freezing, and that only in spots. 
As for damage by weeds, same has been slight if any. Alfalfa, a good 
growth at least, seems to choke out the weeds and as the first cutting of 
the hay is usually made before the weeds ripen, there is not much chance 
for spreading. 

I have two fields on low land and one field on high groimd. The low 
land fields, which have a good strong growth, were sown eighteen years 
ago without the aid of a nurse crop, while the field I planted last spring 
on upland was put in with a crop of oats and barley, the grain being sowed 
with a drill and the alfalfa put in with a hand seeder. The part sown 
with barley was fairly good, but that sown with oats did not amount to much 
and will have to be reseeded. The ground was plowed deep and harrowed 
thoroughly and from my experience I think it best to put alfalfa in 
by itself. 

The first cutting of alfalfa should be made about the first to the middle 
of June, or when the field just commences to blossom good. 

Yours truly, 

H. C. JUDSON. 



30 



Underwood, S. D., Nov. 25, 1909. 

Traffic Department, C. & N. W. Ry. Co., 

Winona, Minn. 
Gentlemen: 

I have been engaged in the production of alfalfa for the past ten years 
have studied and experimented with it more or less during that time, and 
as a result of such experience, I have decided that as a farm or business 
proposition under proper conditions, there is no better for seed or feed 
purposes. 

On alfalfa sown by me six years ago the average yield per acre this 
year, first cutting, yielded about two and one-half tons to the acre, second 
cutting one ton and the third crop used for cattle pasture. 

On the second year, or succeeding year's crops, I would consider an 
acre of alfalfa in this country worth more than an acre of corn. Last year 
my corn, which was better than the average in this vicinity, run about 
thirty bushels to the acre. Figuring the sale of this com at $.75 per bushel 
and that it cost me $7.50 an acre to secure same in bam or granary, I would 
net $15.00 to the acre. Figuring three and one-half tons alfalfa, valued 
at $8.00 per ton, deducting $1.00 per ton as total expense harvesting hay, 
would net me from an acre of alfalfa $24.50 per acre; in other words an 
average acre of alfalfa compared with the average acre com raised by me 
this year, would be worth $9.50 more to me. 

Weeds have appeared to a small extent, but by cutting the first crop at 
the proper time, usually from the 15th to 20th of June, the head of the 
weed is cut oflf before it is ripe and does not allow it to spread. It does 
not make so much difference what kind of ground is selected, that is either 
high or low ground, the chief point to consider is to secure ground where 
water will not stand for even a short length of time. 

Before seeding alfalfa I generally take oflf two crops of small grain, 
and would not advise putting alfalfa in on new land. I plow the land 
extra deep, harrow it in good shape and then put in with nurse crop of 
oats, using about eight bushels of oats and from ten to twelve bushels alfalfa 
seed. After each cutting I go over the ground with harrow just to mulch it 
on top to|hold the][moisture. 

Yours truly, 

(Signed) Fred Holcomb. 



31 



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